High school stadium lights will be turned on Friday, April 17 in Auburn as part of a statewide tribute to honor the Class of 2020.

The Kent School District decided to postpone lighting up its French Field stadium.

“At this time, we are going to postpone the #bethelight tribute for our seniors until a later date,” said Brian Smith, director of athletics for the Kent School District, in a Thursday email. “The decision has been made in order to follow the social distancing guidelines and adhere to the continued closure of our facilities.”

The district planned to turn on the lights for 20 minutes starting at 8:20 p.m. (2020 military time) and had encouraged students to drive by the stadium used by Kent-Meridian, Kentwood, Kentridge and Kentlake high schools.

“The Kent School District is proud of our seniors and look forward to the day in which we can celebrate and honor them in an appropriate and meaningful way,” Smith said.

Lights will go on at Auburn, Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside high school fields, said Rob Swain, Auburn School District director of athletics, in a Thursday email.

“It is a nationwide push by athletic directors and coaches,” Smith said. “I believe it started in Minnesota. Last week a group of local ADs were meeting and we decided to launch the concept locally.”

Schools are posting at #BeTheLightWa on Twitter about their participation as a way to honor seniors since the school year ended with the COVID-19 outbreak.